Would You Buy an SI2 Stone?

[cushioncut]

I was just wondering how many people would consider an SI2 stone. I'm looking for a 2 ct cushion, and came upon a few very well cut stones that happen to be SI2s. I have had SI1 as a cut off, but am wondering if I should consider these stones.

I've been told that they are both eyeclean...

Is there a greater danger of chipping/cracking with an SI2? Can they really be eye clean? I'd appreciate any thoughts...

 

[reena]

i skipped the poll part, but are the SI2s eyeclean? if so--why not!?!? that's fabulous. it's certainly possible to get an eyeclean SI2 (although it may be somewhat easier in an ideal cut RB, where you're just blinded by sparkle) and to my knowledge there's nothing about an SI2 that would compromise the diamond in terms of cracking or chipping. (think about how many people are out there with I3s from the mall . . .)




would you post the specs of the cushions? i'd be interested to see!

 

[laney]

Yes, mine is fabulous!

There is a post of mine in the SMTR forum.. and I'll post the up close of mine shortly...

Each stone is different, I would suggest seeing it of course with your own two eyes.. I can only see my inclusion.. if I look up under my ring.. (which requires me to take the ring off and put it really close to my eyes... and squint... and hold it in a certain direction.

However, since mine was really not visible.. the price really wasn't that discounted.. from say a SI1...

I'll get a pic of one that shows really eye clean.. hold on..

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I also skipped the poll--but not only would I buy an SI2, but would buy an I1. Saw a beautifully cut I1, 3.04 cushion, and I almost walked away with it. The inclusions were such that they were well concealed by the setting and not highly visable (to me anyway).

Good luck!

cheers

Sharon

 

[bling]

I too would definitely consider an eye clean SI2... in fact, i have my eye out for one right now. should the perfect one come up..im so there. but for me, and i think its a personal preference for each..i like to be able to "see a birthmark" in my stone. it make my stone unique and mine!
dont forget, RB are a little more forgiving in terms of clarity than fancy shaped stones, so just make sure you either get to see it in person and judge for yourself, or have photos and a good appraisal done before or as part of the return policy. we dont have to tell you that and SI clarity can vary greatly from stone to stone.

 

[moremoremore]

me too! As long as I can't see it, I don't care. As long as there is no feather breaking the surface and an appraiser says there is no threat to the stone.

My only caveat is that I've come to understand the jeweler "eye clean" and consumer eye clean can mean two very different things...just make sure you either see it or can return it!

Otherwise, great buy!

 

[aljdewey]

Is there a greater danger of chipping/cracking with an SI2?

Not usually. The clarity grade doesn't specifically mean the stone is has less integrity structurally. It considers many things, including how many inclusions, placement of inclusions, and how readily visible they are. Regarding structural integrity of the diamond, the most concern I see with that is if the diamond has a feather AND if that feather breaks the surface.

[/i]Can they really be eye clean? [/i]

Absolutely! Several of us here (including me) have bought SI2 diamonds that are completely eyeclean.

Here's what I'd recommend: if you really like everything else about the stone, make sure the return policy is generous and bring it in to see for yourself. It doesn't matter if it's eyeclean to everyone else on the planet...it matters if it's eyeclean to *you*.

If it is, it's a GREAT value. One appraiser noted that with 1-ct RB stones of H color, the price diff between SI1 and SI2 was a full 20%! That's a nice chunk of change.

 

[sevens one]

Heck Yeah!

 

[cushioncut]

Thanks everyone for the advice... I will definitely consider these SI2 stones. For some reason I had it in my head that SI2s were less structually sound, it's good to know I was wrong. I don't have the full specs yet, but if the stones look good in person, I'll post...

Thanks again!

 

[fancyrock]

My prefer cut off would be SI1. That's because I can see some inclusions even with VS2. It really depends on where the inclusions are and what types they are. I have a super sharp vision (15/20 after Lasik 3 months ago), so personally I would stick with SI1 or better.

 

[moremoremore]

firerock- you and I are diamond soul mates I think LOL So can I!

 

[fancyrock]

mmm - you are too funny! I was able to see inclusions and color (between E/F/G) before my Lasik. I don't know how... but i just can. Sometimes i wish i couldn't that many imperfections.

 

[Jennifer5973]

Here's mine: 3.01H,SI2

 

[reena]

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On 10/8/2004 6:18:42 PM firerock wrote:

mmm - you are too funny! I was able to see inclusions and color (between E/F/G) before my Lasik. I don't know how... but i just can. Sometimes i wish i couldn't that many imperfections.

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me, too on the VS2 inclusions--can i join the club?

 

[Bagpuss]

I have a 2ct SI2 and I certainly can't see any inclusions at all. I also have a 3 stone ring set with I1 diamonds and I can't see anything in them either! I know there are inclusions because I can see them through a loupe, but they are all 100% eyeclean to me. The only way to be sure of SI2's and I1's true clarity though, is to look at them yourself.

 

[fancyrock]

Reena girl.... you ARE the club!! you have kept us in a good mood!

 

[reena]

well thanks! [blushing]

 

[Patty]

I have three I-1 stones. Two of them are ideal cuts and I cannot see the inclusions. I'd buy an SI-2.

 

[KBerly]

i would, i am considering an I SI2 stone as we speak, check out the inclusion plot, or any pics that they can provide, all SI2's are different, but it is possible to find an eyeclean SI2...

 

[Kamuelamom]

Most definitely. But it would have to be an eye clean one that was well cut.

 

[glitterata]

I have an SI2. The inclusion is under a prong. I've stared and stared and stared, and I can't even figure out WHICH prong it's under.

 

[noobie]

Absolutely, in fact if Patty would stop buying those clean I1s, I may have some more of those.

 

[Patty]

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On 10/8/2004 8:40:03 PM noobie wrote:







Absolutely, in fact if Patty would stop buying those clean I1s, I may have some more of those.

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[Jennifer5973]

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On 10/8/2004 9:02:56 PM Patty wrote:

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On 10/8/2004 8:40:03 PM noobie wrote:




Absolutely, in fact if Patty would stop buying those clean I1s, I may have some more of those.

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Watch out, because I am right behind both of you...

 

[Mara]

I think SI2 is the sweet spot for me...as the others noted, if there was an eyeclean or 'mind-clean' I1 from AGS or GIA with stellar specs and eye-popping visuals, well why not. The price really drops at SI2 as well and you can find some great deals out there if you are a savvy searcher. If no one can see it, why pay for it!?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Our best sellers are nice SI2's - but when I sit down with a dealers box of GIA SI2's and loupe them - I can only use 15% of them.
I voted no - because the chance of you guys finding an +SI2 are slight - if you are shopping online and the stone is not eyeballed by someone you trust (really trust) then I would not recomend it.

BTW the safest SI2's are the ones with loads of marks all over the place on the plot or 2 or 3 marks inside the table. This stone is guaranteed to be eye clean. This advice is contrary to what seems obvious - but hey, yo'all can trust me - I'm a jeweller

 

[aljdewey]

Our best sellers are nice SI2's - but when I sit down with a dealers box of GIA SI2's and loupe them - I can only use 15% of them.

While that may be true of GIA stones, several vendors here noted AGS clarity grading is quite stringent. The recent grading lab survey would seem to support that ("In half the cases AGS clarity grading was one grade stricter than GIA.".....Dave Atlas). I'd guess SI2 stones from AGS would be more likely to be eyeclean and would increase the percentage considerably.

if you are shopping online and the stone is not eyeballed by someone you trust (really trust) then I would not recomend it.

I don't wholesale agree with that. I feel that as long as the return policy is generous, it may be worth seeing for *myself*. Of course it all depends on individual budgets, but if I could potential save hundreds on a stone by going SI2 instead of SI1, I feel that it might be worth it to bring the stone in. Yes, I might eat $40 in shipping, but $40 compared to hundreds seems like a no-brainer to me.

Of course, I'd much prefer to have the vendor I trust eyeball it, but if that weren't possible, it may still be worth it to me to see the stone myself.....my two cents.

 

[Jennifer5973]

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On 10/9/2004 2:20:46 AM Garry H (Cut Nut) wrote:


BTW the safest SI2's are the ones with loads of marks all over the place on the plot or 2 or 3 marks inside the table. This stone is guaranteed to be eye clean. This advice is contrary to what seems obvious - but hey, yo'all can trust me - I'm a jeweller

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I can understand this--and I've seen SI2s with this pattern and it is hard to see the mutliple specs with all the sparkle; the stone obviously needs to be a top-notch cut.

My stone is not this kind of SI2--there is just one inclusion, a sub-terranean feather and it is not visible to the naked eye. I have often wondered if it would have made a difference to me if the inclusions were many and scattered--When I look at my stone I really feel the table is crucial since it is a larger stone (and a 57% table)...and I really really like that it is clear. I guess it also makes a difference that the feather is limited to the crown and parallel to a facet--very very dificult to detect even with the loupe (you have to look for it to find it--it does not "hit you" right away).

So would the theory of "multiple and scattered is better" be impacted by size of the diamond?

 

[kevinng]

I think it's all right to go down to SI2 if the vendor has a good return policy. After you receive the diamond, I think it's natural for most people to loupe it to find the imperfections. Then eyeball it for as long as you like until you are comfortable with how eye clean it is. If you know that the inclusion is there, and you're still comfortable with it, then I guess it's ok. If not... just return it and get another one.

But... if you hail from afar like myself... where shipping to and from the US would cost a bomb, returning the diamond is a costly affair. For overseas customers like myself, it would be safer not to go beyond a VS2. Even the most able vendors are known to make mistakes regarding how eye clean the diamond is.

 

[marriahlyn]

In a heartbeat, I'd buy a GIA SI2.........I have a GIA SI1 and the gorgeous stone below is a GIA I2.